Parents' Guide to K-Pop Idols

K-Pop Idols TV show poster: blue and purple background with several K-Pop idols in profile

Common Sense Media Review

Joly Herman By Joly Herman , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Cursing, ambition, superficiality in K-pop reality show.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

In K-POP IDOLS, the hopefuls who are trying to break into the upper echelons of K-pop stardom want to dance, sing, and pose their way to the top of the charts. Aspiring idols try to gain fawning fans by performing perfect routines, creating lovable personas, and working until they drop. Being discovered is only the start of the journey for these performers with big aspirations. Once they gain recognition, they have to keep their fans happy. Is this kind of stardom worth the enormous effort? How do the idols keep from breaking down?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Entertaining and a tad disconcerting, this show captures the ambition and perfectionism of the social media age. K-Pop Idols doesn't look away from the pressure to appear a certain way, or the tokenism, the eating disorders, and the mental health aspects of fame.

One fan in this show compares K-pop idols to Olympians, who will do anything to be at the top of their game—even if it crushes them. Families who watch this one together can have conversations about the pros and cons of global fame in the 21st century.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about teamwork in K-Pop Idols. What happens when a team falls apart? How can a team repair broken bonds?

  • Social media plays a powerful role in this show. How can poor communication ruin a group's reputation? What can you do to prevent communication problems?

  • The hard work and perseverance that goes into becoming an idol is a major theme. Can hard work do damage to a person? When is "pushing through" the best option?

TV Details

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K-Pop Idols TV show poster: blue and purple background with several K-Pop idols in profile

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